January 7 Letter in The Buffalo News alludes to LSNF City Hall Noon tour

Buffalo's gems offer tourists terrific cultural experience

As two Canadian baby boomers living near Hamilton, my wife and I have driven through Buffalo dozens of times, but last week we decided to spend two days exploring downtown. Coming from an industrial city that now has its fair share of challenges,we were not sure what to expect.

Well, were we ever wrong! After a warm welcome at the Visitors Center, we stumped off on the walking tour. What an array of buildings - the renovations were unbelievable. Shea's Theater is an absolute gem. City Hall is a marvelous example of Art Deco. Indeed, we were fortunate enough to be taken on a tour of the building by a guide with a palpable passion for Buffalo. The highlight was a few moments with the outgoing mayor, a very gracious gesture on his part.

We took a stroll along Delaware Avenue to view the various mansions, drove around Olmsted's parks and visited the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Darwin Martin House. But by far the biggest surprise was the Basilica, with its magnificent interior

Yes, we saw Buffalo at one of the worst times of year - dreary weather, no festivals, just shopping. Nonetheless, the visit was invigorating. Although we never ventured more than a few miles from the border, we felt we were in a very different environment and benefited from what can only be described as "a cultural tourist experience."

We'll pass the word on.

Jim Pickworth
Burlington, Ontario